Superior Court Judge Robert Reed, pictured in this November 2012 file photo, agreed today to reduce the bail for a Tennessee man accused of having an unloaded handgun last month in Bedminster without obtaining a New Jersey permit.Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger

SOMERVILLE — Saying he doesn’t pose a danger to the community, a Superior Court judge today reduced the bail for a Tennessee man accused of having an unloaded handgun last month in Bedminster without first obtaining a New Jersey permit.

Superior Court Judge Robert Reed reduced the bail for Jamie Pitts, 27, from $100,000 to $25,000 with the 10 percent option, meaning he could be released from custody by posting $2,500. Pitts has been held at the Somerset County Jail.

The judge noted that Pitts, a native of Ohio, voluntarily turned over the unloaded firearm and said that “while the state of New Jersey is at one end of the anti-gun spectrum, Tennessee is at the other end.”

But Reed also warned Pitts that if he failed to appear in court when he is required, the judge would revoke his bail and return him to the county jail. The judge said that “whether you’re in Tennessee or Ohio or New Jersey, eventually we find you.”

Pitts was driving a purple Dodge Intrepid at about 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 along Interstate 78 East when he was stopped by state troopers for driving an unregistered vehicle, according to an affidavit filed in Superior Court in Somerville.

The troopers informed Pitts and his passenger that the vehicle would be towed and asked if they would like to take any small belongings with them, the affidavit states.

After Pitts said he had a weapon in the vehicle, a trooper secured the unloaded handgun from the driver’s side door and removed Pitts from the car, the affidavit states. Authorities said Pitts had not obtained a New Jersey permit to carry the handgun.

A loaded magazine with six rounds also was removed from the vehicle, the affidavit states. Pitts has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon.

In arguing for a bail reduction, Pitts’ attorney, Matthew Katzenbach, noted his client’s lack of a criminal history, and said he would appear in court.

But Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor William Guhl said the $100,000 bail was appropriate to ensure Pitts’ appearance in court, because he is an out-of-state resident with no ties to New Jersey and he is facing a possible state prison term.